Local Spellers Compete on WCNY-TV Today

SYRACUSE — More than 35 local school children will appear on television later today. They’re the finalists in the Post-Standard/WCNY Spelling Bee, which will be televised live on WCNY-TV 24.1. The winner will advance the national level of competition in Washington, D.C. this spring.

Coverage begins at 2:00pm. The spelling bee will take place at the WCNY-TV studios in Liverpool. According to a press release from station spokesman Matt Michael, more than 200 children — from over 40 local public school districts, private schools and home schools — entered the competition this year. Here is the complete list of competitors, as provided by WCNY-TV:

Organizers say spelling bees serve two goals: they help children to expand their vocabularies, while encouraging them to perfect their spelling. The Scripps National Spelling Bee will take place in Washington, D.C. from May 27 to June 1. No word on the national bee’s website about TV coverage for 2012 yet, but over the past several years, earlier rounds have been carried on ESPN, while finals have been televised on ABC.